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NEBRASKA. 




SEWARD LAW AGENCY, 

OF 

O T. B. ^Williams. 



SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVEN TO PROBATE AND COUNTY 
COMMISSIONERS' BUSINESS AND LAND TITLE GASES. 

Seward, - - - Nebraska. 



iittesney ei l^a^w Gindl Meiaisy Fii%lie» 



Will Vay Taxes, Buy, Sell and Locate Lands, anid 
Buy and Sell Warrants, 

At reasonable rates, for persons living at a distance. 

CORRESPONDENCE INVITED. 

All letters of enquiry regarding the Soil, Climate, Price of Land, 
Railroad Prospects, and the country generally, promptly answered. 



SAFE AND SURE INVESTMENTS. 

Eastern Capitalists are particularly invited to our facilities for 
making safest investments? with largest retnrnv<5. 



THE ELEMENTS OF PROSPERITY— AGRICULTURE 
AND MANUFACTURES— NATURALLY UNITED. 



swmii C!®«ffilf 



DESCRIPTION, RESOURCES AND 
ADVANTAGES, 



By O. T. B. WILLI^^I^. 



MILFORD, NEBK. : 

CULVER & PARSONS, Publishers. 

1872. 






PREFACE 



Hoping to contribute our mite to aid in the development of this 
portion of the Blue Valley, we have presented our readers with a de- 
scriptive view of Sev/ard county, and trust that such facts as we have 
gathered and now present to them, will prove the moans of inducing a 
large immigration to this part of the State. 

The Blue Valley has been well termed the " Garden of Nebraska." 
Its soil, climate and scenery are no where sui'passed in the prairie 
country of the west, and we count it alike a privilege and a duty, to 
set forth to all those seeking homes among us, west of the Missouri, all 
the advantages of this county. -. \ 

While a great deal is being written, concerning different localities 
of the State, we have thought it better to place all the facts in juxta- 
position as we have done in this pamplet, and then each citizen of the 
county will be afforded a much better opportunity of sending over the 
country, east, west, north and south to their many friends, a more com- 
plete statement than would be afforded in a single number of the local 
press. 

We here desire to express our thanks to those friends who have 
contributed facts which we have embodied in this sketch. 

The Editor and Publishers have endeavored to prepare this collec- 
tion of fticts, and set them before the public in such a manner as sliall 
best afford proof of the rapid advancement of this new country, in all 
that is most desirable in a thriving and prosperous community. If it 
shall afford this satisfaction, they feel abundantly gratified. 
March, 1872. 



Vt) 



SEWARD COUNTY 



ITS DESCRIPTION, HISTORY AND RESOURCES. 

The broad, grand prairies lying between the river Missouri and 
the Rocky Mountains, were, as hxte as the year 1840, described by 
geographers " the great American desert — a v;ist unexplored region, 
inhabited by buJSalo, savages and wild beasts." Indeed, for more than 
ten years later, the west side of the Missouri river Avas the abode only 
of the red man, and the- wild game that afforded him an irregular sup- 
port. Vast herds of buffalo, elk, deer, antelope — "the wild gazelle, 
with silvery feet" of romance and song, — still roamed in happy free- 
dom over the trackless ocean of gi'asses in the mighty meadows of the 
west. The Indian tribes, not then reduced by the encroachments of 
anotlicr and more powerful race, passed their time in the hunt and the 
chase, or in measuring war-powers with other tribes. But the Indians 
are dying out, together with their traditions. The force of Mind is 
pressing on, and mere physical supremacy must yield to its overmas- 
tering domination. 

The decade preceding the great rebellion was marked by the settle- 
ment of Nebraska. In 185-4 the Territory was organized, and a few 
counties along the Missouri had become sparsely settled. Emigi-ation 
did not pour into the new territory very rapidly as was at first expected, 
owing to the impression prevailing at the East, that, except upon the 
margin of the streams, the Avhole territory was a barren, sandy desert. 
This impression prevailed until 1859, when the great exodus to Pike's 
Peak from all the eastern States, helped to SAvell the gold excitement 



4 SEWARD COUNTY. 

which disappointed so many thousands. Among the multitudes carried 
away by the second gold excitement concerning the placers of the 
Rocky Mountains, some had advanced on their journey no farther than 
the county of Butler, in the State of Nebraska, wdien reports of an 
adverse nature changed the mind of the weary pilgrim to this Mecca of 
his idolatry, and many resolved to pursue the phantom no longer. 
The lovely country, spread out before them on every hand, charmed 
them, and their dejected spirits at once revived. They concluded to 
take a survey of the whole region, and if it were like this, determined 
to make themselves permanent homes. Pursuing their course down the 
valley of the Blue river, as far as its largest tributary in Seward 
county, the West Blue, they located on that branch, at what is now 
called West Mills. Here the grand old prairies w^ere before them, on 
every side, and they pitched their tents on the banks of the lovely stream, 
that coursed its v/inding way through a thick foliage of Cottonwood 
and Oak. On this spot they were now content to dwell, and here they 
coveted to make their graves. Fourteen years have passed aad many 
of the older settlers still reside on lovely homes of quiet and plenty. 

The folloAving year, a few more settlers came into the county, and 
located farms on the Big Blue about half way between where the town 
of Milford and Seward are now laid out. This was the beginning of 
the settlements, in what was then termed Green county. In the year 
1861, J. L. Davison, Esq., of Milford, was appointed by the Legisla- 
ture, one of tlie Commissioners to run a territorial road, running from 
Nebraska City to Fort Kearny. It crossed the Big Blue near Avhere 
Camden is now situated, and aftbrded great facilities to the through 
travel and freight trains traversing this great highway to the new city 
of Denver. ''Life on the Plains," was tlien at its zenith, and the 
aboriginees, jealous of the inroads forced through their hunting grounds 
by their more vigorous and enterprising neighbors — the whites — formed 
plan after plan, to drive out and exterminate the pale faced marauder. 
But their eftbrts to preserve their freedom and their rights, only met 
with a still greater determination on the part of their foes, to wage a 
merciless warfare, until everv nation of tlie redmen, who were the real 



ITS EARLY niSTORY. P 

OY.-ncrs of the soil, :sliould l)ecorae extinct tlirougout the length and 
breadth of our domain, and the more intellectual race should come in 
to supplant tliem. 

Shortly after the commencement of our domestic conflict the name 
of the county, which had hitherto been called Green, was changed to 
that of ScYvard. This was done because of the course taken by the Sen- 
ator from Missouri, from whom the name of the county had been derived. 
He took a prominent part in the late rebellion against the Government 
of our country, and sought to use his influence for its overthrow. The 
Legislature promptly removed from the page of history a name that 
liad become tarnished witli the dark stain of treason, and placed in its 
stead that of the distinguished statesman of freedom. The Missouri 
Senator has passed away. With splendid abilities — ranking among 
the first in that greatest deliberative body of the nation — the American 
Senate, he yet yielded to the potent influence of that insidious enemy 
of brilliant intellect — strong drink — and died a victim to its powerful 
fascination. 

But very few settlements were made in the county during the years 
1862 and 1863. In 1864 the first Mill was erected on the West Blue 
by Mr. Thomas West; following that were built the Camden Mills of 
Messrs. Parker & Roper ; and emigration then began to increase some- 
what. In the year 1865, the first organization of the county took 
place, and then that year a large influx of population became visible. 
In 1867 Messrs. Reed & Davison erected Mills at Milford ; and in 1868 
H. L. Boyes began the erection of his Mill at Seward. About this 
time the number of inhabitants throughout the county was a little 
over one thousand, and the unparalleled increase since then makes us 
number at the present writing nearly four thousand. 

AGRICULTURE. 

Probably no county in the State will take rank in advance of 
Seward in })oint of agricultural advantages. Witli a soil particularly 
well adapted to the growth of the cereals (lacing a sandy loam, and a 
vegetable mould charged with iinie) it lias already given evidence of its 



6 ^!EWAKD COUNTY. 

capaljilities in this ves})ect, sufficiently so, to give the most cucouvaging 
assurance of its adaptedness to this particuhir branch of husbandry. 

The soil is from one to three feet thick, and more resembles compost, 
or artificial mould, than wild natural soil. This extremely ricli deposit 
rests upon an underlying yellowish clay subsoil, whicli, witli its sponge- 
like properties, retains moisture during the very dryest season, and 
thus affords that healthful nutrition which causes vegetation to grow 
here in so prolific a manner. The formation of the surface is such that 
natural drainage is here displaycrl in its higliest state of perfection. 
The beds of our water courses are much depressed below the general 
level of the country, and sloughs of standing water are comparatively 
unknown. Added to this, the undulations, which are so pleasing to the 
eye, tend to promote more minute drainage ; and while lending aid in 
this direction do not cause ascents or descents of so abrupt a nature as 
to prevent the tillage of the entire surface of the land. Not only do 
cereals grow well, but root crops are in no wise behind them ; they 
yield enormously. Our grasses are principally wild yet, but it is 
known that timothy and red top, as well as the clovers and other tame 
gi-asses, grow in luxurious abundance wherever tried. 

Our farmers, with that forethought which manifests the highest 
degree of intelligence, have set themselves to work to remedy a great 
natural deficiency in the State of Nebraska. The reader will very 
readily infer that the deprivation of timber is meant. That trees grow- 
here spontaneously is well knoAvn ; but the great prairie fires Avhich have 
raged from the earliest times, have destroyed them, as they sprouted 
forth year after year. Now, however, that attention is being given to their 
cultivation, we may soon hope to see the Central Prairie State thickly 
dotted with groves of CottonAvoods and Soft Maple — these trees being 
of more rapid growth than others. The oak, tlie walnut, the ash and 
the honey locust grow Avild here, in the Blue Valley, and the European 
larch is being introduced because of its very rapid growth. It is a 
beautiful tree. The wood is free-grained, fine and solid, and said to 
be very durable. As has just been remarked, its rapidity of growth is 
so great, that at ten years old, it is like the cottouAvood, over thirty 



r^ATURAL RESOURCES. i 

feet in liciglit, an<l Irom one and a half to three feet in circumference. 
The very young trees need cultivation to keep them from being 
choked with the grass ; they also need protection from the fires of the 
prairies. They will then thrive in an astonishing manner. 

The county of Seward has been blessed by the munificence of nature 
with native fruits in the most luxriant abundance. The strawberry, 
the plum, the raspberry the gooseberry and the wild grape, are to be 
found oij the borders of all our streams, and in the season, large parties 
may be seei^ gatherin.r? the luscious fruits for home consumption. No one 
can for a moment believe, Avith these examples before them, that the 
profitable cultivation of fruit in this county is a question. 

There are some young orchards in bearing already. This gives 
•assurance of fruit gi'owing, and there is no doubt that this will soon 
become a prominent department of agriculture on every farm. There 
are several vineyards already commenced in the Blue Valley, and as 
our soil seems to be naturally adapted to the growth of the grape, they 
doubtless will flourish iu. the greatest perfection. 

The Legislature has made provision for the encouragement of fruit^ 
culture in this State and has passed the following act: 

" That there shall be exempt from taxation of the property of each 
taxpayer, who shall, within the State, plant and suitably cultivate one 
or more acres of fruit trees, the sum of fifty dollars annually for five 
years for each acre so planted and cultivated; Provided, That the 
trees on said land shall not exceed thirty-three feet apart, and shall be 
kept in a healthy condition. (Laws of 4th and 5th Session, page 68.) 

This, in addition to the following regarding the raising of trees, has 
been a stimulus which has set thousands of acres of trees growing in this 
and adjoining counties, and as soon as a few more thousand acres of 
the prairie are broken up, we shall see the whole country studded Avith 
groves of timber. The following is the laAV relating to forest trees : 

'' There shall be exempt from taxation of the property of each tax- 
payer, who shall within the State of Nebraska plant and suitably culti- 
vate one or more acres of forest-trees for timber, the sum of one hun- 
dred dollars annually for five years, for each acre so planted and culti- 
vated ; Provided, That the trees on said land .shall not exceed twelve 



8 SEWARD COU?iTY. 

feet apart, and shall be kept in healthy grov-ing condition. (L: > • ■■/. 
4th and 5th Session, page 68.) 

Thus it will easily be seen that we have every encouragement to 
make a good State. With such laAvs as these, the vast prairies of the 
Central State will, in a single generation, grow into a densely wooded 
country ; and this one element of wealth inducing emigration will give 
it an additional impulse, and Nebraska will liave a population that will 
have placed her in the front rank among the States of the Nation. 

Between five and six thousand acres of prairie land have been 
broken within a litle more than a year last past, and Avith the experi- 
ence of our intelligent farming population, who are now settling the 
county, and expending a large outlay of capital for its improvement, 
we expect to see Seward presenting herself in a comparatively short 
period, as the Banner County in the leading industrial pursuits of the 
State. 

STREAMS. 

The State is divided by the Platte, the Niobrarah and Republican 
Rivers, into three large and nearly parallel valleys. Between the 
Platte and the Republican, in a south easterly direction, runs the Big 
Blue. This stream crosses Seward county north and south a little east 
of the centre. Plum Creek is the principal tributary on the east side, 
and runs from the north-eastern portion of the county in a southwesterly 
direction, and empties into the Big Blue at Seward. East of the Blue, 
in range four, the different branches of Middle Creek take their rise, 
and other small streams, affording abundant water privileges in that 
part of the county. On the west, we have Lincoln Creek, Beaver and 
the West Blue, quite good sized streams — the latter as large as the 
Big Blue. Numerous smaller streams and rivulets flow into these, 
affording a good supply of water on many farms. These small creeks, 
except a portion of Morgan's branch, have no wood on them, and in- 
deed none have any great amount of timber on their banks — without 
including the Blues, which are well fringed with cottonwood, maple and 
oak, 

A 



ITS CAPABILITIES. 



It will be found on exumiiiation that no county in the State is bel- 
ter supplied with water for agricultural and manufacturing purposes 
than Seward. And this is well ; for the lack of timber for fuel, at least, 
can be supplied by each fVirmer for himself, in three or four years, but 
water could not be so easily obtained. 

When our great prairies are covered with herds and llocI:s, and our 
immense manufacturing facilities are fully developed, we shall see our 
streams throughout the length and breadth of our county, dotted here 
and there with woolen mills and leather manufactories, as they are 
now with establishments for the converson of wheat and the native 
timber into flour and lumber. Enterprise and capital will yet bring 
into service the valuable water-power of Sewaixl county. 

While the surface here is generally free from boulders, they are yet 
found in some of the -breaks," or ridges at the head of the streams. 
A well-defined line of granite gravel and boulders is found along the 
general course of the Blue, stretching as far to the northwest, beyond 
the Platte, as the country has been explored. They are never in quan- 
tity to interfere with cultivation. 

STOCK. 
The climate of our State is noted for its health-giving qualities.^ 
Free from all the impurities of a murky atmosphere— clear and bracing, 
it is unsurpassed by any State in the Union in the same latitude ; the 
Blue Valley being at an altitude of about seventeen hundred feet above 
sea level. The air is dry, pure and salubrious. Its streams are swift 
flowing, and there are no swamps to breed miasma or poisonous exhala- 
tions. ° With such a condition of climate and soil, the facilities for 
raising of stock could not be improved upon. Its complete adaptation 
to grazing is conceded by all who have visited our county. The native 
grasses are fine and nutritious, and all through the beautiful valley of 
the Blue, it was the chosen feeding ground of the buffalo, the elk, the 
antelope, and the deer. The advancing tide of civilization drove them 
westward and now their place is rapidly being supplied with herds and 
flocks of domestic animals. 



10 ,-;EWAR1) CoriVTY. 

Our winters are general]}^ dry, and the native grass as it stands, 
affords excellent cured liay-])astures, keeping stock throughout the 
winter with hut little other food. The cost of putting up hay is merely 
nominal, not exceeding one dollar and fift}^ cents per ton, and by this 
means the farmer can protect himself against the common peril of hav- 
ing his hay-pastures burned over by prairie fires. 

The winters are so open, that shelter for stock is not essential, ex- 
cept against the winter storms which occasionally drive with great 
severity over our plains ; and that shelter is cheaply afforded by a 
rough frame of crotches, poles and brush, or walls of prairie sod cover- 
ed by prairie grass. 

More cattle are being brought in here now and considerable attention 
is beginning to be paid to improved breeds. Some of the very finest 
breeds of short horned and other improved stock have already made 
their appearance in Seward County, and the time is not far distant 
when herds of the best breeds brought into the country from abroad, 
will be found on all our stock ranges. Some of the fiirmers and cattle 
dealers of Seward have made a profitable trade, by the purchase of 
Texas or Cherokee cattle which have been brought here, and fattened 
upon our wild grasses, and thus prepared for market by one or tAvo 
seasons in the rich valley of the Blue. It is found that the superiority 
of our pastures and the less excessive heat of our summer temperature 
has an excellent tendency to increase their fatness. 

Not so much attention has been paid to horses in this country so 
far, but now this matter is beginning to receive attention from our 
most enterprising and intelligent citizens. A few fine stock horses are 
owned in the county and the breeding of horses will receive a share of 
attention which its importance and our advantages deserve and 
demand. 

Flocks of sheep are ]:>eginning to be brought in from the East. 
Sheep-husbandry has hitherto received but a tithe of that attention, 
either for their flesh or their fleece which their value ought to prompt. 
Our usually dry winters are peculiarly favorable to the healthfulness 
of the flocks. And there is jio manner of doubt of the especial adapt- 



CiEOLUinCAL FURMATIMXS. 11 

ability of our flimate and grazing plains to the raiding of .slioep : and 
capital invested in wool-growing here will afford a rich return, and in 
time this branch of industry must prove a principal source of our 
Avealth. 

Swine are thriving greatly here, as they do almost any where that 
human inhaitants abound. Our whole State is so healthy for the hog, 
that they are increasing everywhere at a rapid rate. They are entirely 
free from the epidemics and diseases that affect them in other states, 
and farmers who raise hogs, and their own corn to fatten them with, 
may expect that ])ork-making will yield them large returns. 

GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS, 

Although no geological survey of Seward county had been made, 
yet a superficisd examination, and the intelligent observation of practi- 
cal men have alike demonstrated the fact that we have here in this 
county, other resources, in addition to the unrivaled fertility of her 
soil. Limestones and sandsfcone.-; a})ou nd, and at Oak Groves, in the 
northeastern part of the county, thousands of bushels of Lime of 
excellent quality are manufactured every year. Clays of superior 
fineness and particularly adapted to brick-making, are located in large 
beds in every township, and the making of choice bricks for every va- 
riety of purpose, is extensively carried on, within two miles of the town 
of Seward, and are obtainable from the yard at ten dollars per thousand. 
Clay for fire brick is also found, but none of the pipe clay, such as 
discovered in Otoe and Dacotah counties, has yet been discovered. 
Nor that famous fine clay, -whiv'ii is said to so nearly resemble kaolin, 
recently found in Jefferson county, although something like it has been 
seen once or twice. 

Li some places in the valley of the Blue the ground is encrusted 
with a whitish saline matter, which clearly indicates the presence of 
salt in a greater or less degree, and it is believed that at no distant 
day the manufacture of salt will be undertaken. 

Marl and ])eat are found in various parts of the county, and the 
manufacture of the latter into fuel will be commenced early in the 



12 SEWARD COFNTY. 

spring of 1872, by a company from the east, who have leased the sec- 
tion and are now making their arrangements to begin operations, as 
soon as the frost is well out of the ground. 

Coal is known to exist in many counties of the State. In all the 
.southeastern counties it crops out at the surface and is mined. Quite 
a large amount of bituminous coal, and free from sulphur, is taken out. 
These beds, however, are only of moderate thickness, and as they are 
known to lie in the upper coal measures, it is confidently believed that 
thicker beds lie at lower levels. 

It has been asserted that coal exists in all the southwestern counties 
along the Republican river. The surface indications are said to be 
favorable, but as the settlement of that country has been delayed until 
the present year, nothing has been done towards the opening up of the 
mines. 

The discovery of coal in the valley of the Big Blue, in Seward 
county, about a mile north of Milford, created quite an excitement in 
the county at the time, and the quality and thickness of the vein was 
somewhat exagerated. The developments, however, have not been 
sufficiently complete to assure the valuable discovery of the genuine 
article which had been hoped for. Should expectation be realized by 
the discovery of extensive deposits of coal in this region, the coal will 
probably be found to belong to the tertiary or lignite coals, known to 
exist in great abundance in tlie territory westward. It is not believed 
tliat any extensive disruption and upheaval of the strata has occurred, 
as would be neces.-ary to bring the coal measures to the surface in this 
part of the Stare. 

Some valualjle minerals have been found in different parts of the 
State, and Seward county comes in for its share. Gypsum is reported 
to exist in the southern portion of the county, on the Big Blue, and 
magnesia has been discovered east of Milford, on Middle Creek. A 
substance resembling chalk, and also a shale making fire-proof paint, 
is reported to have been found near th^e- line of Lancaster county. The 
value of none of these deposits has yet been tested by manufacturing, 
-and general use.. 



SEWARD — tJRESNVILLE. 13 



On tlie east side of the Big Blue river, about two miles north and 
two miles east of the geographical centre of the county, is situated the 
town of Seward. At this point Lincoln Creek on the the west, and 
Plum Creek on the east empty their waters in the Blue River. This 
is the largest town in the county. "With a thriving population of 
about two hundred souls, it bids fair to be one of the leading business 
points in the Blue Valley. The first mill was erected in 1868, by H. 
L. Boyes, Esq., and manufactured lumber with which the first build- 
ing was erected during that summer. Mr. Lewis Moffitt, the original 
proprietor of the town, employed Mr. Thomas Graham, of Camden,, 
who surveyed and plotted the village of Seward Center, as it was 
then called. Very little was done toward building up the place that 
season, and the next year the number of buildings, all told, did not 
exceed a dozen. 

In the Spring of 1870 a remarkable change took place. Although 
there were only about fifty inhabitants in the new town, the people, 
with indomitable enterprise, determined to have a newspaper publish- 
ed in their midst, and with a commendable public spirit they advanced 
the necessary funds from their comparatively slender resources ; and 
on the sixteenth of March. 1870, the first number of the Nebraska 
Atlas was issued. This was the pioneer newspaper of the county. — 
And it is not too much to say that this paper has been more lai'gely 
instrumental than any other single cause in promoting the advaacc:- 
ment and prosperity of the town and county of Seward, 

Before the first settlem.ent of Seward county, a. village h&d been 
started, a little to the southeast of the present town site of Reward, 
called Greenville. At that early da,y the effort to build up a town on 
what the Lidians then determined' tO; hold as their hunting grounds, 
proved unsuccessful. They were driven off by the red men, and did 
not return to carry out the project, which, had it been successful would 
have taken the precedence of all the settlements in the Blue Valley. 
The first settlers, in this part of the county were in constant jeopardy 



14 SEWARD COrXTY. 

of their lives, but as the population increased tlieir fears lessened, and 
the wild game principally moving without the pale of civilization, the 
savages followed, and sought a new hunting ground where the buftaloes 
roamed in undisturbed freedom, in the valley of the Republican and 
between that and the Solomon, in Kansas. Then it was that settle- 
ments again began to be formed in Seward county. None of the 
Danish Colonists who first projected the town of Greenville are now 
known by the earliest settlers. Having been driven out, they roamed 
to other parts of the country in search of other adventures. It is said 
that they discovered coal on Plum Creek, while endeavoring to build 
up their town in this vicinity, but the report has never been verified by 
any explorations since made. 



Was the first town projected after Greenville, One of the finest fl.our- 
ing mills in the Blue valley was erected here and building went on 
encouragingly for a year or two. The town is situated on the Blue, 
near the southern line of Seward county and about six miles north of 
Crete, where the B. & M. R. R. crosses the Blue in its route to Fort 
Kearney. Camden has not grown much for the past year or two, but 
an effort is now making by some of its citizens to revive its drooping 
energies, and in connection with parties from theadjacant counties and 
other parts of the State, they have commenced a suit against the 
B. & M. company to compel that corporation to relay their track on 
the original survey. If they succeed, it will have the effect to restore 
confidence in the future of that town. It is, withal, surrounded by 
an unexceptionable country, and in the event of a station being made 
here on the road whicli it is believed will soon be extended up the 
Blue Valley, Camden will yet figure conspicuously as one of the 
thriving towns of Seward County. 

BEAVER CROSSING, 

Situated in range one east, is another point that will l)e greatly bene^ 
fited by the hoped for change of route above alluded to. The line of 



TOWWS — AMI, FORD. 1;'> 

the road will pass immediately through this projecied town, which is 
beautifully situated on the north bank of the West Blue. 

Being situated at the ju]u*^ion of Beaver Creek and tlie West 
Blue, and on the main road riiiuing east and west m the southern 
part of the county, it is a natural point for trade. The village has 
but recently been plotted, but there is fonned, already, the nucleus 
of a thriving village. One of the best flouring mills in the 
country, is now completed at this point. Two stores are already 
doing a large trade and the enterprise manifested in building up the 
new town, augurs well for its eventual success. Should the line of the 
railroad be changed so as to run through this new^ town, it will make 
it one of the principal points from Lincoln to Fort Kearney. Among 
the many beautiful town sites in Seward county there are none finer 
than Beaver Crossing. 



Is the second town in the county, in point of age. Its locatiou is ex- 
cellent. It is situated on the west bank of the Big Blue, about six 
miles north of Camden, and on the old steam wagon road from Ne- 
braska City to Fort Kearney — the mainly traveled thoroughfare west 
from Lincoln. Tlie best bridge in the county here spans the Blue, 
and was built entirely by the private enterprise of early settlers in 
the immediate vicinity. 

L'ntil recently this place has been recognized as the shire town 
of Seward county ; but a special law, passed by the Legis- 
lature of 1870, providing for the "location of county seats unlocated," 
was construed, by the two Commissioners living in the northern part 
of the county, to apply to Seward county. An election was accord- 
ingly called. The County Attorney filed an opinion to the effect that 
the law could not be so applied ; and in this he was sustained by some 
of the best legal advice in the State; but the election proceeded. — 
Milf ;rd was not a point in the contest, her friends considering the 
election illegal ; but one town was voted upon ; the result declared by 
the Commissioners was in iis favor, and the county books were remov- 



16 SEWAKD COUNTY. 

ed to that point ; whereupon the Judge of the District Court iasued 
a mandamus remanding the hooks, and the case awaits the decision of 
the Court. 

Surrounded bj a rich agricultural country, Milford must rise to 
'be a town of importance. Its merchants are enterprising, and con- 
;seo[uently are building up a large trade. With an excellent improved 
~water privilege it has one of the iincst flouring mills in the State, and 
so rapidly are the farmers increasing their crops it already taxes the 
•capacity of the mill, and the wants of the surrounding country demand 
.an enlargement. The Blue River is one of the most reliable streams 
in Nebraska, so far as the average volume of water is concerned ; but 
it can be most profitably utilized only where the river is bedded with 
:6tone, and a solid foundation for dams and mills thereby secured. — ■ 
For one mile above and four miles below Milford, the waters of this 
river course over solid rock, with suihcient fall to warrant four excel- 
lent water powers in this distance. Milford being in a bend of the 
river, there is a profitable water power on each side of it — the upper 
one being improved to two-thirds its extent by the floui'ing mill before 
mentioned, Avhile the lower one only awaits capital to develop it. 
TThe best of wdiite and blue limestone for building purposes is quarried 
just south of the village, and can be procured at each of the water 
■powers. This stone is susceptible of a high polish, and is possessed 
of those qualities essential in the best stone vrork. 

Milford has hitherto prided herself upon being the literary town 
'of the county, and we are constrained to say that up to this time she 
lias well earned the reputation ; but she will have rivals hereafter for 
■educational pre-eminence, and it becomes her to enlarge her efforts 
still more to maintain her laurels in that regard ; conse(|uently, she is 
making a commendable display of progress in this direction. The 
Teachers' Institute, held during the fall has given a marked impetus to 
the cause of education there, and the lectures delivered during the 
course, by some of the best talent in the county and State, manifest 
in a striking manner the particular interest Avhich the people of that 
town are taking in this grandest of all human causes — the culture 
•of the rising generation. B 



TOWNS — MILFORD. 17 

From the fund of the American Congregational Society in the 
United States, now amounting to several millions of dollars, set apart 
for the endowment and su^jport of educational institutions throughout 
the country, a sufficient amount to erect and maintain a college will be 
given to some point in the interior of Nebraska, and the counties of 
Seward and York are fovorably mentioned in connection with it. The 
locating commissioners have adjourned their meeting until June, 1872, 
meantime making an examination of the several prominent points 
wliich have made favorable propositions, and taking into consideration 
facility of access, and all other advantages which an institution of this 
kind must necessarily require, in order to carry out its true objects in 
a successful manner. 

The town of Milford is spoken of as presenting many inducements 
for the location of an institution of this kind. The grounds set aside 
for a building site cannot be excelled for beauty, grandeur and position 
in the State ; it includes fifteen acres of land, on an eminence inclined 
to the east, bounded on the north by a grove of mammoth sized trees 
of natural growth, on the east by the Big Blue river, and on the south 
by the village. From a cupola on a college building of average 
height could be seen Lincoln, Crete, Camden, Seward, Beaver Cross- 
ing and Dorchester, and for miles could be scanned the beautiful val- 
leys, with their varied scenery, of the West and Big Blue rivers. — 
As a sufficient amount of land for an agricultural department to the 
college has been oifered, besides a considerable amount in cash, 
building material, labor, etc., and as one of the Commisson- 
ers resides near that point, is deeply interested in educational 
matters, and has undoubted influence with the locating committee, 
besides the attachment he bears to his own home in Milford, the pros- 
pects of the latter place are far in advance of any other point, for the 
establishment of a College under the auspices of the Congregational 
Society. Should Milford be decided upon as the place for erecting 
the college, there will probably be an eventual expenditure of at least 
one hundred thousand dollars, and this alone would build up a thriving 



18 i?EWARI> OOUXTV. 

town, especially one situated in the inidst of a superior agricultural 
countrv. 

As we have mud, Milford is next to the oldest town in the county. 
It has a fine Academy, under the charge' of an efficient principal, 
a Congregational cliurch and a Baptist church, both of good size and 
fair })roportions — the first and only ones of these denominations erect- 
ed in the county, the former constructed in the year 1869— 
a number of business places, each having a good trade, a newspaper 
which is contributing in a most efficient manner to the upbuilding of 
the town and county, besides, as we have remarked before, one of the 
best mills in the valley. It needs now, only a generous far-seeing 
})oiicy on the part of those eontroling the future destinies of the town 
to make it one of the foremost cities of Nebraska. It can be done, — 
win be done ? The next decade will tell the story for all time to 
come. If capital is invited and made welcome, if half the town is given 
away to build the other half, no earthly power can keep it where it is. 
The great prairies of the west only lack capital and enterprise to build 
up great cities, and they need one as well as the other. Enterprise 
will always gather capital around it, and it is always among this class, 
of people that capital will concentrate. The future of Milford is in her 
own hands. 



This town, at present the county town of Seward county, as has been 
already mentioned, is the nearest tow^n to the geographical centre, and 
is in a tln-iving eo)idition. Capital is beginning to make itself felt. 
The dwelling houses are constructed with ta^te, if not with expensive 
elegance, and the places of business are commodious, and will yie with 
those of villages of far greater pretensions. This' is the lumber^depot 
of the county, and hundreds of thousands of feet have been distributed 
to different parts of the county from this point. It boasts of several 
brick buildings, and a number more are now in process of erection. 
This town has always been characterized \)\ the thrift :ind ciiter})rise 



T()AV.\3 ,- i:\VAi; II. 1^ 

of its inljabitants. Tliey :i re already tiiklng measures to erect at their 
own expense, a court house for the county, and a stock company to 
buihl a high scliool buihling is no^v formed, and measures Avill be taken 
the present year to carry out the scheme. The building will be of 
brick, two stories high, and divided into such compartments as will fa- 
cilitate the original plan. A very fine frame church building with 
brick foundation, has been recently erected, belonging to the Presby- 
terian denomination, and will soon be ready for occupancy. It is 
thirty-live by fifty feet, and reflects much credit on the originators of 
the design. The Baptists and Methodists will each erect edifices for 
public worship, another year, and other denominations have also selected 
their building lots. This substantial proof of interest in the higher 
moral welfare and religious improvement of the town, will have the 
stronger tendency to induce a better class of immigration, and Seward 
will undoubtedly settle up witli a set of inhabitants, which in point of 
intelligence and moral feeling will in no wise suffer by comparison wdth 
many of the best towns in the east. We are confirmed in this view by 
the additions to the ])opulati()-n of the town during the past year. 
Should this influx of tlie best class continue there need be no fears for 
Seward in time to come. 

The intelligent interest manifested in schools is another cause for 
hopefulness in the future. The number of children now in the district 
between the ages of five and twenty years, readies nearly one hundred, 
and it is confidently believed tliat witliin another year Seward will 
[Support graded schools. 

With such impulses guiding tlie public spirit, it is easily seen that 
a bright destiny awaits the young town. Will and energy, with cap- 
ital, will accomplish almost any result; and it only remains for the 
capitalists who are now making investments here, to see their interest 
in its true light, and exhibit a-judicious public^spirit, to enhance the 
value of their property three-fold, as well as to afford equal aid to 
ivery citizen who has built uji for himself a home here. One Square 
jas been set apart for a market space, another f )r a Court House, a 



20 SEWARD COUNTY. 

third for the High School, and in addition to these a hirge park, 
extending across five blocks, east and west, from Eighth street to 
Thirteenth street, which is to be filled with trees and shrubbery of all 
kinds suituable for this climate, and which has now a thick and elegant 
hedge of osage orange surrounding it, and in summer, when in 
the full bloom of beauty, is a treasure of surpassing value to the town 
at large. 

The proprietors of the town have determined to compete for the 
establishment of the Congregational College at this place, and have 
consequently made a proposition to donate forty acres of land as well 
as several thousand dollars in money to secure this valuable acquisition 
to the future prospects of Seward. A hundred thousand dollars ex- 
pended in College grounds and buildings will almost of itself build up 
a town. Every thing of a stable nature must be encouraged, and every 
department of industry, as well as education, should be fostered, and 
particularly manufiicturing industry. It has been found that an ex- 
cellent quality of brick can be manufactured here, and brick buildings 
are now going up on every hand. If they were to be had, millions 
would be consumed every year in the same manner. A party of east- 
ern capitalists propose erecting a Vv^oolen Manufactory to cost from 
fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars, provided a sufficient water power 
is donated to them. The immense advantage of such a manufactory 
here will be appreciated by the farmers of the county, who fully under- 
stand that the whole State h- peculiarly adapted to wool growing, and 
the time is not very far dist:iiit when herds of stock of all kinds and 
immense flocks of sheep will cover the fine rolling prairies of our whole 
State. If this can only be understood among our agriculturists, so 
that their attention can be drawn from the commercial sophistries of 
this fast age, our railroad monopolies will have very little power to 
crush out the heart of our farming population with their unblushing 
claims for government subsidies. 

The inhabitants of Seward have shown a degree of public spirit in 
the construction of water works for the town, and the machinery by 



ROADS. 21 

which it is raised adds a fine appearance among tlie other pu1)lic works 
of this enterprising place. Being the principal business point of the 
country, and the entrepot of a large trade for York, Butler, Polk, 
Hamilton and adjacent counties, it already forms a grain market, and 
supplies for the necessary use of the heavy emigration that is con- 
stantly pouring in, will be found abundant and extremely moderate in 
prices. Without extraordinary drawbacks, Seward must become one 
of the leading towns of the Blue A-^allcy, and it is no stretch of the im- 
agination to affirm, that within the next decade it will be the most 
populous city in the interior of the State. Having all the elements of 
a rapid growth, adding monied as well as other kinds of capital to en- 
terprise, situated in the midst of the very garden of the State, what 
can prevent its future importance? 

ROADS. 

Like every other part of the State, after leaving the bottom lands 
of the Missouri valley, the roads are in the finest condition. The soil 
seems particularly well adapted, not only to construct superior road 
beds upon, but to continue them good with very little labor. A rain- 
storm of two hours' duration, and we generally have heavy ones too, 
will not make the roads impassable as in some countries, and a bright 
sunshine of an hour or tAvo will dry them and make them passable as 
before the rain. The old military road from Omaha to Fort Kearney, 
a distance of one hundred and ninety-seven miles, another road from 
St. Joseph, in Missouri, through north-eastern Kansas and southern 
Nebraska to Fort Kearney, the old Steam wagon road from Nebraska 
City to Fort Kearney, were the three principal routes to Denver, in 
Colorado, before the construction of the Union Pacific. The old Steam 
wagon road runs through the southern portion of Seward county, and 
is still as good a road as when first traveled years ago. 

As railroads now take the place of our leading thoroughfares 
throughout the country, these important roads of bye-gone years are 
used only as the shorter routes from town to town. The B. & M. 
railroad company have begun the construction of a railroad up and down 



\LZ SEW.^KD COUNTY. 

the valley of tlie Bin- Blue, and luive the cars running from Crete, in 
the northern portion of Saline county, about five miles south of tlie 
Seward couBty line, to Beatrice, a distance of ab(njt 35 miles. It is 
understood the road is to be continued north through Seward and 
Butler counties to intercept with the Union Pacific at Columbus, in 
Platte count}', and south into the State of Kansas to intersect with the 
Kansas Pacific. A road running west from Lincoln through the cen- 
tral portion of Sewai-d county is one of the jirobabilities of the future. 
One of the greatest needs of Sew^ard county at the j)resent time are 
bridges across its largest streams. That portion of the tax of the 
-county appropriated to the road fund will be fully sufficient to jiuike 
■bridges over the small creeks and rivulets with which the county 
abounds, and to keep them in good repair ; ]mt there is not yet enough 
to build large and substantial bridges, such as every county intei-sected 
by good sized streams, must of necessity require. A proposition 
for the judicious expenditure of twenty-five thousand dollars for 
the purpose of building bridges through the county, which would not 
only afford facilities for travel on our roads crossing the largest rivers 
of the county, but greatly enhance the value of real estate, would be 
cheerfully accepted by the people. All pul)lic improvements, as the 
intelligent will readily see, adds so much to the pecuniary estimate of 
real property. And every dollar expended ^)\\ public imjirovements 
yields a return to every individual member of tlte community who owns 
the smallest share of soil in the State. These internal improvements 
will greatlj- enrich the people of Seward county and the non-resident 
taxes alone, will almost pay for them. 

SOCIETY. 

Prol)ably in no county in the State, and particularly among the 
newly settled ones, is the general society better than it is in Seward 
county. Generally the rougher class first make their way as pioneers, 
and get ready for the better class that is to follf)W. While it is true 
that there are some here, as everywhere else, on the rear ground in the 
social scale, yet we have among us what is (juite uncommon in the 



4(;iU("'i'i/i'ri;.\L ir^ociE'rY. 



23 



\Vild' prairies of the \vest, the refining infiueiiee &f literarv hidies, 
the solid and statet?manlike views as well as legal acumen of the bar, 
the .■sound and ])raetieal wisdom of the medical profession, and even 
still the high moral, religious and scholarly attainments of the clergy. 
And we have all this among tlie farmers of Seward county. Step into 
the primitive cottage homes of some of the young farmei's of Seward, 
and the eastern- tourist would he taken by surprise to find perchance 
anu)ng tlit> rubbish of a sod house and all its rough surroundings, the 
elegant refinement and graceful ease of a higher civilization. 

" His warm and luimble home, where he enjoys, 
With her who shares his pleasures ami his heart 
Sweet converse." 

This is really true. The remarkable purity of the climate of this 
State, the comparative ease with which homes may be created and 
adorned with even the luxuries of the east, have prompted many to 
come and settle in the valley of the Blue, who, gifted with all the ad- 
vantages of natural and acquired abilities, yet from physical indisposi- 
tion have been obliged to remove to new homes where they might enjoy 
the substantial blessings of healtli. Hence we have settled among na 
this higher class whose intellectual capabilities confer the truest honor 
on the inhabitants of ScAvard county. 

SKWARD AGRICULTURAL BOARD. 

The Seward County Agricultural Society, organized during the 
past summer, and through the oflicial management of Mr. Langdon, 
Esq., the first President, who, indeed, originated the movement to 
bring about its organization, it has already been placed in a^ prosperous 
condition. The first fair occurred the past year and gave sanguine 
hope for the future. Its gratifying results have given encouraging as- 
surance to those farmers interested in the ultimate success of this agri- 
cultural enterprise. Seward county can really boast of having- 
j)i-esented as fine, if not a finei- display than any first agricultural fair 
in the State. Tlie show of stock was unexpectedly large and fine, and. 
vet it was ;iseertained that this was iiot the full capabilities of the 



24 SEWARD COUNTY. 

county in this regard ; the several breeds of swine were superior, giving 
evidence that already the attention of the farmers was directed to this 
most profitable branch of farming industry. The agricultural products 
of grains and root crops, must have convinced the most incredulous of 
the adaptability of the soil of Seward county to the culture of the cereals 
as well as every other outgrowth of its prolific prairies. The domestic 
wines, produced by Mrs. E. Herrick, were of such superior quality as 
to aiford the m.ost convincing proof of the successful culture of the 
grape, if indeed, this were wanting ; while the ladies' department, pre- 
senting a display of their handiwork and general housewifery, afforded 
a complete refutation of the statement that they were in any wise 
behind the "lords of creation " in all that pertains to the province of 
woman. 

The first annual meeting convened in October and elected the fol- 
lowing gentlemen as officers for the ensuing year : 

W. W. Cox, - - - - President. ' 

H. WoRTENDYKE. - - - Vice President. 

J. A. Brown, - . - - Recording Scc'y. 

A. L. Strang, - - - - Cor. Sec'y. 

R. MoCrossen, - - - - Treasurer. 

E. B. Shafer, 

Thomas Graham, 

G. W. Standard, }• Board of Directors. 

J. W. Lee, 

Geo. Streeter. 
It is intended to make the next annual fair an improvement upon 
this. There is no doubt the present board of officers will carry to 
maturity the many plans originated by the retiring board. They are 
all practical farmers, and all stand among our most intelligent citizens, 
and if they fail to place the society on the high road to prosperity, they 
will disappoint the expectations of many. 

The opinion is generally understood among the farming community, 
that the prosperous condition of this class of our citizens is greatly 
enhanced by a flourishing society of the farmers of our county. — 



COCNTY OFFICERS. 25 

This is true ; and while a system of premiums awarded for superior 
products of the country home are encouraging, especially to the 
younger agriculturists of Seward, we believe that frequent meetings 
of the Society in convention, for the interchange of the thoughts and 
experiences of our best producers of stock and grain and fruit, would 
have a still more excellent influence in elevating the tone of society 
among our young men who have come to^ this country and taken* 
homesteads with the intention of making permanent homes here, and 
settling down to the real, earnest life of farming — the noblest pursuit 
of man. 

County officials, 

The County has no^ been organized nearly seven years, and we 
give Mow the present officials who were last fall elected for the next 
two years. The County was set apart, at the last session of the Leg- 
islature, as a Representative District, and we shall be so represented 
at the next regular session. The Senate District is composed of 
Seward and Lancaster counties. 

Judge of Probate, - - - J. W. Shields. 

ShcriiF, J. W. McCabe. 

County Clerk, . - - - Thos. Graham. 
County Treasurer, - - - M. A. McPherson. 

Superintendent of Schools, - - Geo. B. France. 
County Surveyor, - - - - J. H. Anderson. 
County Coroner, . . - J. M. Evans. 

TWm. Imlay. 
Board of Commissioners, - - { Wm. Hornburo, 

( D. H. Harris. 



26 EEWARB COUNTY. 

Thus we present to our readers the present situation in Seward Co, 
With an excellent soil, fine climate, and i:)ure bracinfy atmosphere, and 
no miasma to be exlialedfrom swamps, breeding fevers in eveij portion 
('f th", cfiinif-, : with .streaii:s of pure living water running through 
ever; township; young forests already growing up spontaneously 
where the cultivated parts keep out the fires of autumn ; where the 
intelligent a'i;ri(.ultuvist upholds the dignity of Uil)or, and encourages 
tlie educated of our country to become well informed tillers of the soil ; 
^vhere all. and each one, is imbued Avith the idea that 

" Life is real, life is earnest," 

^ . i.Td'v carries out this sentiment, Sewas'd county has every 

'ii!g tA hope for in tlie future; and if her people continue to act with 

Mic same in: piration (iiat has apparently controlled them in the past, 

;iic n. i;io!i of licr future sons and daughters will place her in the front 

■fank of the counties of our state. 



SEWAKJD BUSINESld CAK1>S. 



'W la o 1 e ^ a 1 o ai u cl lil, e t m i i i> « ii 1 >is i* 

IN 

WiiieSg Liquors and Cigars^ 

Siunple Ruoiu iu coiiiifctiou witli Store. 
Seward, - - JVebrasJca. 

F. M. ELLSWORTH. THOMAS DARNALL. 

Notary Public. Notary Public. 

Ellsworth & Darnall, 

Attorneys at Law. 

Special Attexxtiosi Given to Cases i^i Bistrict 
aiici S-apreme Courts. 

SEIVAIID, - - NEBRASKA. 

Attorney aiid Counsellor at Law. 

Taxes Paid, VoKectious Made, and all Businegs 

entrusted to his Care Promptly attteiided to, 

LAND MATTERS A SPECIALTY. 

SEWARD, - - - NEBRASKA. 



llomeopatluc I'liysician and Surgeon. 

Office at the Drug Store,, 

31EWARP, NEBRASKA. 



28 SEWARD MILLS. 



Banner Mills. 



Proprietorb-: 



« ii» b©thl® a s#ir 



These are the only Mills in the north jaart of Seward county, and 
the Flour hitherto manufactured here has been pronounced unsur- 
passed in the State. The watei' power is abundant, and the 



Has nearly completed the manufacture of most of the native lumber 
in this part of the county. 

• The Seward iVIills 

Are now undergoing a th.orough repairing for the Spring business, 
and will hav« a capacity fi<r a much larger custom trade than hither- 
to. Flouring will be carried on more extensively than ever. 

We invite attention to the quality of our flour, as well as to the 
promptness with which we do custom work. 

H. L. BOYES & SON. 
^EWARJ>, - JUTEBRASKA, 



SEIVAKD LUMBER DEALERS. 29 



SEWARD LUHBER DEPOT. 



OltlF'F'IlX &; r»^^I«, I«H, 



DEALERS IN 



Pine and Native Lnmljei', Biaclt 

Walnnt. &c. 

The Proprietors keep constantly on hand, at tlieir yard m 'Seward, 
a full supply of building material in their line, of the very best 
quality, such as 

Sash, Fencing, Styddsng, 

CeiSing, f^oyWangs, Framing Timber, 

Bfiinds^ Shingles, Sheathing, 

Doors, Fiooring, Door Casings, 

PBastering Hair, Plaster Paris, 

Paints, Oils, Putty, Nails, etc., etc., etc. 

Our prices are moderate — in fact, we can afford to sell as cheaply 
.as any lumber market in the State. We will duplicate bills at the 
River, transportation only added. We buy for casli and 

SELL FOR CASH ONLY. 

,€all and examine our stock and satisfy yourselves of Oiir low rates 

SEWAED, ,- - NEBRASKA. 



3® SEVv'AUD BUSI.VESS CARDS. 



li., G^ 50H 



Architect and Builder. 

Plans and Specifications Furaished for Buildings of 
any Design. 

SEWARD, - - NEBRASKA. 



J. R. PAUL, 

DEALER IN 

HOUSE FUENISHmG GOODS OF ALL KINDS. 

The latest styles and best ({iiality of Furnitni-c constantly on hand 
and FOR SALE at hi.s establishnaent. Call and examine his elegant 
stock of 

Tables f Bureaus, ami Stands, 

And make a selection to suit your taste. 



Corner Sixth and South Streets, one block south of Market Squar< 



Clean! If JEtoonis, Generous Tables ^ and Beasonable 
Terms charaeterize this House. 

A Good Stable and Livery 

Attached to the House. 



BEWARD BUSINESS CARDS. 81 



MRS. E. WALKER, 

Agent for the 

[iipr®Yed Siii|er Sewiiii laeMiie, 

SEWARD, - - NEBRASKA. 

MINSHALL & BUCK, 

Dealer in staple :ind fancy 

M® E® ^^ ^S- €^ €^ '^- m ^ 

Ready-made Clothing, Boots, Shoes, Hats and Caps, Groceries, 

and general line of Merchandise. 

SEWARD, - - NEBRASKA. 



A. L. STRANG, 

State Agent, 
Manufacturers of 

Haliaday's Patent Wind-Pfaills, 

Farm Puraps. Feed Mills, Etc., Etc., Etc. 

SEVVARU, - NEBRASKA. 



S. E. GANDY, 



DEALER IN 



Hardware, Stoves & Tin Ware,. 

Housefurnisking Goods, and Agricultural Implements. 



32 



OKNERAL MERGHANDISB. 



OPEN TO THE WORLD AI^B ALL MANKIND. 



Seward Trading iepot. 

Seward, f^ebraska. 



MiwiE leiiM®^ mm mm wmmmmMB'EM^ 



FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS' \yOllTH of the most 
fashionable, best and seasonable 

Clothing f Famishing Goods, Hats, Caps, Moot^ 
and Shoes f Trunks , Valises, &c,, 

DRT G90DB, 6E0GEEIES, 

Tin Ware, Hardware, 



Call and see us, at Seward. 



MILFORD MILLS. 83 



M: I X^ F O Pt I> IFLOXJPillVO MILLS. 

J. L Davisori &. Co., Proprietors. 

— ^— c 

These Mills were established in 1867, and enlarged to three times 
theif formfei* size in 1870, and by the introduction of improved ma- 
chinery have established a wide deputation for the Manufacture of all 
kinds of Flour of the most approved quality, which is commonly 
known as the "legal tender" of Nebraska. 

The proprietors are prepared to furnish the trade on liberal terms. 
Custom work promptly and satisfactorily done. 



the; s^^>v ]^ii^l 

Has been undergoing change of machinery in order to supply the 
demand for the great variety of work in this line required for build- 
ing purposes. A turning lathe, and other machinery, will soon be 
added, to supply the need in this direction. 

The proprietors will spare no pains to keep' up improvements in 
machinery and work throughout all departments of the mills, to sup- 
ply the increasing demand of the country and a large trade. The 
motto of the firm is : 

"Improve at every turiv of tlie Wheel." 

And the patrons will reap the benefits of their patronage. 

THE ATTENTION OF FLOUR AnD FEED DEALERS 

INVITED. 

Custom WorJe a Specialty, 

J, L. DAVISON & CO, Milford, Neb, 



.JSTNEbo i^^^i.^Ts'. 



G. B. FRAiyCE, 

Co. Sup't. Public Instruction 
of Seward Co., 

Attorney at 'Lb.w aad Notairy Public. 

Real Estate and Collecting Agent. 

Special attention given to cases in District and Supreme Courts. 

D. C. HcKILLIP, 

A^ttoT-nay at IL.fi^v aiitl Motar.T l*Jit>lie, 

Beal Estate and Collecting Agent. 
Special attention given to cases in District and Supreme Courts. 



Dealer in 



Frnit Trees & lieeeral Nursery Stock 

Of the most reliable varieties, at competing prices with 
any other agency. 

MlL^ORB, Seward Co., NEBRASKA. 



Agent fur the 

Reliable Q u i n c y Plow, 

Manufactured by Bafctell & Collins, Quincy, 111. 
lilitEAItllVGS^, STIItltllVO & CORIV PLOWS, 

MILFORD, - - NEBRASKA. 



HOTEL, STAGE LINE, ETC. 



FRiSBEE HOUSE, 

Miiford, Nebraska. 
4- good table, pleasant accommodations, >nd an obliging liost and 
;lio8tess characterize this House. The patronage of travelers and 
otliers respectfully solicited. 

A. FRISBEE, Proprietor. 

To Travelers in flekaska. 



The undersigned invites attention to the Stage Line from LIN- 
COLN TO MILFORD, Beaver Crossing, and points west. It is 
the best line west from Lincoln, and passengers will be conveyed to 
any point in Seward, York, Fillmore and Hamilton counties at as low 
rates and in quicker time than by any other route. At Miiford this 
line connects with a route direct to York Center, York Co. 

Stage Leaves the Doufflas House, Zineoln, on Tues- 
days, Thursdays and Saturdays, 

Of each week, and returns from Miiford on the following day. 

THE LARGEST ASSOETMENT OF GOODS IN SEWARD CO. 



J. BKTTIMCER^ 



DEALER IN 



i 



Dry Goods, Groceries, Hardware, 

Tinware, Farmer's Implements, and General Merchandise, 

Goods shipped direct from St. Louis, and sold at competing 
prices with any store west of the Missouri Ri^^er. 



TO FARMERS AND OTHBRS. 



FARMS MADE VALUABLE AT SLIGHT EXPENSE 

• 

Get the 

NORTH -WESTEM flD 1 

For supplying your farm with water, and for cutting and 
grinding feed. etc. 

THE BEST S^BLL I'^OW m USE. 

Why ? Because — 1st, Its construction is so simple that it is less 
likely to get out of order ; 2d, Its wheel ahvays faces the wind ; 3d, 
It rune in the lightest breeze ; 4th, It takes care of itself in the se- 
verest storms ; 5th, It is a complete self- regulator ; 6th, Its fans can 
ho set at any angle to the wind ; 7th, It can be stopped or started 
from the ground ; 8th, It has no chains, cords or pulleys to freeze up, 
double up, and refuse to move ; 9th, It is sold at a less price than; 
any other mill of the same capacity. 

MANUFACTURED AT DIXON, ILL. 

.1. COUBTBIGHT, Agent, - MILFOItn, JS'eb. 

^W Mr mm. i -# ^M^ 'm^^^^m^ 

SHRUBS, PLANTS AND VINES OF 
ALL VARIETIES, 

SUIITKB TO MUBR^ASKA. 



Save your labor, time and money by buying of old and well es- 
tablished Nurseries, and trusting your orders to tried and reliable 
men. There are Bearing .Orchards in Nebras|ca from Neally, Bock & 
Bingham's "Bird's Nest Nurseries,'-' Burlington, Jowa, (established in 
1846), and at his semi-annual deliveries in Lincoln, Ashland, Crete, 
Milford, etc., 

Offers the best of stock from the above nurseries at the mos|; reasona- 
ble prices. All stock warranted to be in good condition on delivery. 
M. M. Davison and R; k J. Nigtingale, A^-ents for Sew^ri] Co. 



CAMDEN — LINCOLN. 37 

O .^ 3J[ 33 E IN" ^ T O It IrZ . 
D. H. HAREIS, Proprietor. 



Dry Goods and C r o c e r i e s - 

A good stock always on lianJ. Drugs and Patent Medicines 

kept in stock. 
CAMiy£!jV, Heward Co., WBBMASKA, 

DOU(>LAS HOUSE. 

GE0E6E DOUGLAS, Proprietor. 

{f'orinaiy of the loivnUy House.) 

Corner llth and P Streets, - LINCOL^^^ NEB. 

Transient Board, ^2 per day. 
Accommodations for one hundred and fifty guests. Situated in 
the heart of the business portion of the city. Stage oiHcc for all 
parts of the State. 



W. F. CHAPII\I, 

Late of U, S, Land Office, 

Attorney at I^aw. - Ijineolii, ]^el>. 

CORNER llTH AND M STREETS. 

Special attention paid to Homestead and Pre-emption cases. 



Att'y at Law, 

Will practice in all the Courts in the State, and in the \J. S Land 
Ortice, at Jjincoln. 

Good German spoken \n the Office. 



t^^ MILFORD, 



HlU'tmi, SIB. 

■ ♦ • 

The town of Milford, in Seward County, Nebraska, presenty 
H« ^i-eat inducements 

To Business ien 

To engage in a profitable and reliaide business as any other phvce in 
the State. It naturally conti'ols a very large trade, is located on an 
unexceptionable town site in the midst of the most fertile section of 
the Blue Valley, possesses a first-class grist and saw Mill, lias 
abundant water-power, has flattering railroad prospects, and is now- 
lacking in sufficient mercantile establishments to properly sujiply the 
trade that is attracted to it. 

A €A:^1>1I> €©M"rAMI^€>M 

Of its claims or inducements with those of other towns is invited. 
All questions relative to the place, its condition and prospects, and 
inquiries for information with regard to the surrounding country, 
promptly and truthfully answered. 

COERESFONDENOE SOLICITED. 

CULVER & PARSONS, 

Milford, Nebr, 

Dealers in 

MILFORD, NEBR. 

The best_.stoek of Stationery in the County, which will be sold at 
the most reasonable prices. An}' style of Legal Blank nrocured ^-^ 




TLA 



v/ 



^^MW''^^ 



\ 

NEBRASKA ATLAS 

And People's^ JToiiriial. 

THIRD YEAR. 

The Nebraska Atlas is now enlarged to an eight column paper, 
and issued under the name of The Nebraska Atlas and People's 
Journal, 0. S. Ingham, A. M., Editor, and Wm. 0. Clojd, Publish- 
ei-. It is independent in politics, reserving the right to offer impar- 
tial criticisms on men and measures. It will contain the following 
departments : 

Political News, 
Literary, 

Educational, 

Ag^ricuitural, 
Juvenile, 

Masonry, and 
^ Odd Fellowship- 

Single copies, per annum, - - - . | 2.00 

^'^ - - '. . . ^^^^ 

Ten '' to one address .and one copy to the getter up of 

the club, - - - . . 15 Q0 

■— -»— 

The Atlas & Journal office has connected with it one of the 

most complete Jobbing Departments south of the Platte River. 

AnytJiing in the line of Job Work will be done promptly, on reason- 
able terms and in the most a})proved style. 

SEWARD, NEBRASKA. 



i 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 






^X'- 



IS ii: 




016 087 789 3 



<.?K't 



J •* - 



- t'* *■ 



:'* •' ' NEWSPAPER AND JOB PRIUTIMG ESTABLISSMEiw:. 



'IHE BLUE VALLEY RECOR^ i^ 



,f tiie best records of 



• Lj)oal, .State ^aiid General News / .; 

r • i . „ \ , ' • > 

i»ublisliea'iri Nebr^f^ka/ It hr*« reUa:ble and energetic correspond- 
.entsirfall parts of Seward •o.^mity, and in adjoiriing counties,, and ^ 
is a^refullY niade.-up.in its di%rent departments of nevss.. Devotes 

.■ttJrisiderable-attent4on- to*" hon^e and , foreign markets, and in every - 
Ut" endeavors t^ make Itself an acceptable family journal to all • 
4-eskents.bf, or tho!^e.in.tor«Med in,.^^ebraska. Published at 

*$he Record has a large j»nd rapidly increasin-g circulation, espe- 
f'cJaily. in." the c^tiriti^s of^ Seward, York and Hanrikon, and offers 
•kvantage(^to advertiseVs ' silperior |p those of any other paper in 
'■'its %ectiqn of the. State;' ° 

.. i*'fbS.''fafcilitiQ5Vnd ability of the Record establishment to execute 
.Vkiit^^B'of-JHb work. are unsurpassed. Pamphlet printing, legal 
I^jiuks^fete^Ueads, bill-heads, card^, cirt;ulars, et6., made ^ special- 






TERMS OF THE RECORD 



[ • ditiaj^y, ^ne year. 



SJ *■*. *^ r.'6nc copy; six months', ^ ' - 

•'X->H>-;%w*''''- . ■ . CULVER & P. 

. '•ft' •' ■ . . — — 



P.OO; 
1.00. 
ARSONS. 

E(li.tor$ and Proprietors [I 



